We all know the mood-boosting effects of vitamin D on the body, but prolonged sun exposure can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Along with regular sunscreen application, a sun hat helps safeguard your skin—and your hair, too!—from UV rays.
“Sun hats will protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun’s rays but also protect your eyes from the sun’s glare and your hair from becoming sun-damaged,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton.
Sun hats are also stylish accessories for warm-weather outfits. With insight and guidance from experts in mind, we searched high and low to find the best sun hats. After evaluating them on material, UPF rating, shape, fit, sizing, style, and functionality, we narrowed it down to these designs worth buying.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Best Splurge: Best Versatile: Best Bucket Hat: Best Floppy: Best Western: Best Terry Cloth: Best Colorful: Best Derm-Approved:
Best Overall
Monrowe NYC Bone Hat
Size Range: S—XL | Materials: Japanese Toyo Straw | Colors: Bone
Made from Japanese toyo straw and handcrafted in the United States, this darling hat from Monrowe NYC belongs in everyone’s hat lineup. Not only is it perfect to wear for days when you’re in the sun, but it’s versatile enough to rock to the farmer’s market, brunch, or anything in between. With a 3.5-inch brim, you can rest easy knowing that facial sunburns aren’t going to happen. Our favorite part of this hat has to be the raw-edge fringe, which gives off a modern cowboy energy we can’t help but love.
Best Budget
Lanzom Wide Brim Straw Panama Hat
Size Range: One Size (Medium), L/XL | Materials: Paper Straw, Polyester | Colors: 18, Including Brown/Black, Beige/Brown, and Light Blue
This Lanzom Panama Hat may be less expensive, but it's certainly not less cute. Woven from paper straw and polyester, it's conveniently foldable and packable while still offering UPF 50+ protection—and the 3-inch brim will provide plenty of coverage for your entire face, neck, and shoulders. What's more, it comes in over 20 colorways, so there's something for everyone.
Best Splurge
Eric Javits Floppy
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Squishee® | Colors: 7, Including Black, Red, and Ice/Metallic Silver
If you're open to splurging on a sun hat, Eric Javits won't disappoint. This dramatically large hat has an instantly recognizable silhouette (IYKYK) and a brim that expands a whopping 6.5 inches to keep your face, neck, ears, and shoulders out of the sun. It's made of Squishee, a synthetic material reminiscent of natural raffia straw. And you can bet the durable design can be folded, rolled, or packed up without damaging or misshaping it. Yes, it's expensive, but you're getting a truly timeless design piece that is certain to draw attention.
Best Versatile
Rag & Bone Spire Wide Brim Fedora
Size Range: S—L | Materials: Paper Straw | Colors: Natural
There’s nothing we love more than versatility when it comes to fashion, and this sun hat from Rag & Bone proves that you don’t need to sacrifice chic style for functionality. This wide-brim fedora comes in a beautiful natural hue, making it the perfect option to wear from season to season. Whether you wear it to the beach or on a rainy day, you’ll look and feel your best in this hat.
Best Bucket Hat
Gigi Pip Sal Crochet Bucket Hat
Size Range: XS—XL | Materials: Paper Straw | Colors: Black Check, Black, Natural Striped, Natural
Our love language is bucket hats—they’re perfect, just like this one from Gigi Pip. We’re particularly enamored with this checkered print, and think it would be perfect from the pool to a leisurely stroll. Crafted from fine paper straw, it won’t feel like a brick on your head.
Best Floppy
Nordstrom Packable Floppy Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Paper Straw | Colors: White, Tan Dark, Green Khaki, Blue Combo
Nordstrom’s own brand always has high-quality basics and simple accessories. We’re loving this floppy sun hat, which has a 4.5-inch brim to provide excellent protection from UV rays (UPF Rating 50). It’s made of 100% natural wheat straw and is flexible, allowing you to roll or fold it up without worrying about permanently misshaping it, so it’s easy to shove into your travel tote for a sunny getaway without worrying that it’ll come out misshapen. While it only comes in one size, you can adjust it to fit your head.
Best Western
Monday Swimwear Exuma Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Straw | Colors: Straw
If you want to protect your skin from the sun while still looking your best, you can’t go wrong with a cowboy hat. This one from Monday Swimwear just might be one of the cutest options currently available—from the straw material to the structure of the hat itself, channel your inner cowgirl with this lightweight accessory.
Best Terry Cloth
Beach Riot Bucket Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Polyester, Spandex | Colors: Shell Pink Terry
We particularly love turning to terry cloth materials when we plan on being in the water, whether it’s the beach, pool, or even lake. And this pink one from Beach Riot is immediately being added to our shopping carts. The terry fabric comes in a cute pink hue that’s been designed in a shell-like shape, making it the ideal spring and summer hat.
Best Colorful
Farm Rio Flowers Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Polyester | Colors: Flowers
Farm Rio is our go-to brand for all things colorful, and when we found out they had hats on offer, we just knew we were going to be in for quite the treat. This whimsical hat features flowers galore in shades of pink, red, blue, orange, and green, making it the one you reach for when you want to a add a floral touch to your outfit.
Best Derm-Approved
Coolibar Brittany Beach Hat
Size Range: One Size, S/M, L/XL | Materials: Cotton-Linen Blend | Colors: 7, Including Black, Navy, and White
Dr. Ingleton recommends Coolibar for serious sun protection in the form of a cute, easy-to-wear bucket hat. The brand's Brittany Beach Hat offers UPF 50+ protection (which blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays), thanks to the tightly knit cotton and linen blend fabrication and ultrawide, 6-inch brim. Within, you'll find a fully lined crown and elastic string for adjustable sizing. Consider getting one of the darker colors, like this chic and classic black, for even more shielding from those rays.
Best Active
Alo Fundamental Bucket Hat
Size Range: S—L | Materials: Waxed Canvas | Colors: Black, Soft Mulberry, Cherry Cola
Whether you’re an avid walker or plan on getting a workout in while you’re outside, sun protection is a must, and this bucket hat from Alo will have you covered. Suitable for any weather conditions, this waxed canvas hat is equipped with an interior sweatband that’s adjustable.
Best Elegant
Lack of Color Paloma Sun Hat
Size Range: S—L | Materials: Wheat Straw | Colors: Natural
The Australian design duo behind Lack of Color has managed to reimagine millinery for the modern-day woman. Take this structured, woven shape that nods to the past but remains very much in the now. “This straw hat brings any beach or day look to the next level with the gorgeous chocolate brown necktie,” says fashion stylist Maggie Stewart. The bold brim has a sophisticated feel, while the necktie is removable if you want to go without it for a more everyday look.
Best Extra-Wide Brim
Solbari Linen Hat
Size Range: S/M, L/XL | Materials: Linen, Cotton | Colors: 6, Including Sage/Beige, Light Natural, and Pink/Natural
This hat from Solbari has an extra-wide brim that extends 6 inches in the back and 5 inches in the front to provide serious sun protection for your face, neck, and shoulders. Crafted from a thick, durable blend of linen and cotton, it boasts a UPF 50+ rating while still being breathable and moisture-wicking. We like that it comes in two sizes and can be tightened or loosened with an interior toggle string. Reviewers say it's foldability makes it great for traveling, and it yields tons of compliments.
Best Packable
Terrain Cotton Crusher Hat
Size Range: One Size | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 8, Including Grey, Cream, and Terra Cotta
Made of lightweight, breathable cotton, Terrain’s Crusher Hat packs up without a fuss. “Cotton folds easily inside a suitcase without getting damaged and is generally machine-washable,” says hat designer Debbie Lorenzo, though the brand recommends spot-cleaning or dry-cleaning to help it keep its shape. This sun hat also promises to safeguard your skin with UPF 50 protection and a 5-inch brim.
Best Straw
Frances Grey Lil Angie
Size Range: 22—24.5 | Materials: Straw | Colors: 12, Including Natural/Burnt Orange, Natural/Red, and Natural/Black
If you’re on the hunt for a straw sun hat, we’re big fans of this one from Frances Grey. This signature style comes in a classic straw shade with different colored band options, which we love. The 3.5-inch brim will provide ample sun protection, making it the perfect choice for a lightweight and breathable hat.
Best Reversible
Barrière Poppy Reversible Sun Hat
Size Range: S—L | Materials: Recycled Polyester | Colors: Poppy
Get more bang for your buck with a reversible sun hat, like this one from Barrière. With one side showing off poppies with a white background and the other with a black background, the pops of red scream summer to us. And this floral print hat even features a UPF 50+ and is packable and moisture-wicking.
What to Look for in a Sun Hat
- Material: Dr. Ingleton recommends materials that are densely woven yet breathable, like denim, canvas, or wool. "If you can see light through the fabric when you hold it up to the light, then UV radiation can easily penetrate the fabric and reach your skin," she says.
- Shape: "Select a wide-brimmed style that protects your face, neck, and ears," says Dr. Ingleton. "Avoid hats with an open crown." Stewart recommends a wide brim as well, noting that it should extend at least 3 inches for optimal protection.
- Style and Functionality: Can the hat be styled in multiple ways? Is it packable? Is it machine-washable? These are just a few of the questions our experts ask themselves when choosing their hats. Choosing foldable styles that don't feel too precious will make a day trip to the beach or an extended getaway easier while not taking up too much space in your closet.
- Color: While you can absolutely wear lighter hats and still experience protection from the sun, it’s known that darker and more vivid colors actually draw in radiation, meaning it’s an added layer of protection.
FAQ
- What is UPF?
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor. "It indicates how much UVA and UVB rays your clothes' fabric protects you from," says Dr. Ingleton, noting that a rating of 30 or higher is best. "UPF 50 fabrics block 97%-98% of the sun's rays, thereby reducing your risk of sun exposure significantly."
- How do you measure your head for hats?
You'll need a soft tape measure. "Place the tape measure around the widest part of your head, which is typically just above your eyebrows and ears," says Lorenzo. "Do not pull the tape too tight." She suggests measuring three times for accuracy, then documenting the size so you know what to get next time you buy a hat.
What if you're in between sizes? "It is usually best to choose the larger size and use sizing inserts to make minor adjustments for a more comfortable fit," says Lorenzo.
- Do baseball caps provide the same protection as sun hats?
While baseball caps are a popular choice for beach days and summer hikes, it’s important to remember they don’t offer any sun protection for your ears and neck. That’s why we think sun hats are the better option, as they cover everything.
Why Trust Byrdie
Full-time freelance writer and fashion editor Kristina Rutkowski has been covering all things style, trend, and shopping for over 10 years. Her bylines have appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, WWD, The Zoe Report, Editorialist, InStyle, and SELF.
Taylor Augustin is a freelance beauty and fashion writer with bylines in Byrdie, Brides, Popsugar, Who What Wear, Teen Vogue, and more. She lives in Newport Beach, CA, and spends most of her weekends lounging on her front patio or walking to the beach, with sunscreen and a sun hat always at the ready.
Together, they interviewed the following experts for this story:
- Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, medical director of Ingleton Dermatology P.C., and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
- Debbie Lorenzo is a hat designer and the founder of the luxury millinery brand Frances Grey.
- Maggie Stewart is a fashion stylist and interior design specialist.
Edited by Ally Hirschlag
